An initial proof-of-concept test was conducted on February 2 off Norfolk, VA. Two lightly loaded B-25s were flown off the brand new Hornet following completion of her sea trials. Following this success, Doolittle requisitioned 24 bombers, which were modified for this extremely long flight by having extra fuel compartments installed. He also assembled 24 flight crews and orchestrated three weeks of special training at Eglin airfield in Florida. The pilots learned the techniques of “short field takeoffs” under the guidance of a naval aviator from Pensacola, Lt. Henry Miller.

Having completed her sea trials, Hornet was ordered to proceed to the west coast in early March, transiting the Panama Canal. During this time, Duncan flew to Pearl Harbor to discuss the upcoming raid with CinCPacFlt Admiral Chester Nimitz and Vice Admiral “Bull” Halsey. On March 19, Nimitz learned of the upcoming mission and the need to support it with the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) and her task force. Following this meeting, Duncan wired back to naval headquarters in Washington “Tell Jimmy to get on his horse.” Shortly thereafter, 22 of the Army bombers and all the flight crews were ordered to fly from Florida to the Sacramento Air Depot (aka McClellan Air Base) for final aircraft maintenance, arriving on March 26.

Hornet’s initial stop in the Pacific was at the San Diego Naval Base to pick up new fighter (F4F-4 Wildcats) and dive bomber (SBD-3 Dauntless) aircraft, after which her air-groups were requalified for carrier operations. On March 28, Hornet’s commanding officer Captain Marc Mitscher received orders personally delivered by Duncan.

Instead of heading to Pearl Harbor and combat operations in the southwest Pacific, he was ordered to Alameda Naval Air Station for the special Tokyo mission.

Getting Underway

On March 31, Hornet tied up at Alameda NAS. On this same day, the Army B-25s were flown to Alameda from Sacramento. Hornet’s normal aircraft were stored below in the hangar deck since the B-25s would not fit in there. Within 24 hours, 16 of the Army bombers were loaded onto Hornet’s flight deck and tied down in the order of their expected launch position. After their 5-man flight crews and various maintenance personnel had boarded (134 officers and enlisted men in all), Hornet cast off and moored in the middle of SF Bay. With an untested ship’s crew, Mitscher did not want to risk maneuvering the 19,800 ton carrier through the fog at night. According to Hornet’s deck log, she weighed anchor at 10:18 a.m. on April 2 and began her top-secret voyage, steaming underneath the Golden Gate Bridge on a compass heading of 270 degrees. Rumors were circulated for the curious public that the ship was simply ferrying Army bombers to some outpost in the Pacific. In reality, she was headed for a position 500 nautical miles east of Japan.